Morocco's World Cup exit to France sparked a wave of jokes across social media after football fans blamed media personality Mia Khalifa for 'cursing' the Atlas Lions with a pre-match message declaring, 'Today I am Moroccan'. While there is no evidence her post had any bearing on the result, screenshots quickly spread online as supporters revived the familiar idea of a celebrity 'jinx'.
Hours before kick-off, Khalifa posted the message on X alongside a row of Moroccan flag emojis in support of the Atlas Lions ahead of their quarter-final in Boston. The post attracted millions of views and prompted a mixed reaction even before the match, with some supporters welcoming her backing while others jokingly warned that she might 'jinx' the team. As anticipation built before kick-off, the discussion continued to gain traction across the platform.
